Chris’s COLUMN p. 2 Chris’s COLUMN

Perhaps the most pressing issue of the last week was the school shooting here in Florida. The more these tragedies occur, the more people ask questions and seek answers and the more people want to know why these injustices occur. Without rehashing the basics of apologetics and faith we have discussed before, what new perspectives can we examine in light of such a tragedy? First, we must be reminded of the immense freedoms we have in the United States and the overall security in our nation. I truly believe, based upon the daily events in many places in the world, it is only God’s grace there are not more tragedies like the recent Parkland School Shooting and the Sutherland Springs Church shooting. When we think of the access to firearms and the number of opportunities for harm to be inflicted we should remember there are not enough law enforcement agencies nor workers to stop all the potential attacks. I am grateful for those who serve in those capacities and as first responders, but like doctors and nurses they cannot be everywhere nor they follow up on every lead nor be ahead of every danger. There is still a very human element in all of life which must remind us of things above and beyond our control. I think secondly, we must reflect on the quagmire and utter breakdown of our political system on this issue as well as so many others. It seems our nation will not explode from violence as much as it seems much more likely to implode from its inability to amicably discuss and resolve issues which will be necessary for its future survival issues we do not have time to discuss in one brief article but merely mention: DACA legislation resolutions and immigration, the economy and the debt, the rising trend of violence and mass shooting and how to control guns and who has access to them, illegal and illicit actions of politicians and leaders who are exempt from national law. We are living in a very divisive time where there seems

little hope of resolution to these problems and yet when I

watch children interreact and listen to what they say and

how they play life seems so simple. Observing other

cultures and another country vastly different than ours

begins to offer new perspectives and simply asking

children (who have such a simple faith) how they might

resolve an issue makes me wonder what we may be

doing as adults. I look around and wonder how bad it

was that God flooded the whole world and to what point

are we at on that scale and yet I am reminded by

Scripture and by children of a simple faith and hope.

Hope in the gospel and in the transforming power of

Jesus to change lives. I truly believe this is possible and

necessary and does not depend upon external situations

or government, economics or politics. It is a vision given

to us in scripture and recently lived out by Billy Graham

who died early this morning (Wednesday) at the age of

99. It is truly the changing of an era in Christianity.

When I think about the impact and legacy this one man left for Evangelicals I am thankful I lived at time to observe a man who was not part of scandal, who was not necessarily a scholarly intellectual, not a political persona, not a glutton for power or money but just a guy who loved Jesus and took Him directly at His Word. A man who believed the gospel and lived it out. He became a man respected by almost everyone even those who disagreed with him or even disliked him for his beliefs. What an awesome example of Christ, the gospel, the church when someone is respected by the opposition because he held to truth but others always knew he cared for them. Billy Graham is perhaps the single greatest most positive influence of the last 60 years for Christianity and the gospel. He was considered America’s Pastor and worked faithfully to take the gospel to the nations and to proclaim freedom to captives and justice for the oppressed. More than 5 President’s heard his advice (whether they heeded it or not), he influenced many social and economic issues like civil rights and apartheid because many would stop and listen to what he had to say. He spoke from the heart, he spoke truth with great tact and most importantly his life backed up what he believed. It is often said you don’t believe what is said as much as you believe who is saying it and I believe this is truly the case. Which brings us full circle to the issues at hand. Where is the middle ground on these issues? Where can we, in good faith, cross the aisle and find political resolution to these very important problems of our day? The middle ground, the hope and peace of our future rests in the same place it always has, in the lives of people. To change a nation, a government, a court, a business, a house it must begin with one person. It begins with the willingness of God’s people to take the things Jesus said and the example He set to put them into explicit action. It takes the investment of our lives and time into the lives of others. Thousands even millions may hear the Gospel, but our commission is more than for the world to hear. It is for disciples to make and this is what Billy Graham labored for; the door of opportunity for local discipleship and this is what Jesus modeled for us, and this is the calling of every believer. Changing the world is huge task, but that is not God’s commission. His commission is for each of us to change the world for individuals and if enough people do this enough… revival will happen. That is what Billy Graham worked his entire life for and so should we. 1 Peter 3.15-16, “in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

New Hope

Baptist Church

Bringing moms and their tween daughters

closer to each other and closer to Jesus

February 28th

First Presbyterian Church Lake Placid

Contact Stephanie Davidson for more info

(863)381-5371

WORSHIP GUIDE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2018

Morning Worship Service

# 4 To God Be the Glory

Invocation & Welcome

# 277 Take My Life,

and Let It Be Consecrated

I Will Follow & Same Power

Questions Jesus Asks:

Understanding Our Desires in Light of the Cross

Matthew 20:20-28

# 294 Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Evening Worship Service

# 426 Victory in Jesus

Invocation & Welcome

# 437 Greater Is He That Is In Me

# 447 Trust and Obey

Worship Through Testimonies & Prayer

# 142 There Is a Fountain

A New You - Restoring the Image of

God in Man:

Conquering Satan - Hebrews 1

# 317 Only Trust Him

If you’d like information

on joining the team going

to Nicaragua in late July,

See Pastor Marc

Or Pastor Chris

1999 State Road 64 East - Wauchula, Florida 33873

(863) 773-2101 - www.newhopewauchula.com

Rev. Christopher M. Bishop - Senior Pastor - 781-5572 (Cell)

Rev. Marc Pollard - Student Pastor - (318) 286-5032 (Cell)

Rev. David E. Radford - Minister of Music - 781-9675 (Cell)

Sunday Services

Nursery…………..….14

Morning Worship..167

Evening Worship. ..42

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

25

26 27 28 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

March 2018

WEEKLY CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

Sundays

9:30 A.M. Media Center Open

9:45 A.M. Sunday School - Education Building

11:00 A.M. Morning Worship Service - Sanctuary

Kids’ Church K-5

6:30 P.M. Evening Worship - Sanctuary

Wednesday

5:00 P.M. Women’s Bible Study

6:30 P.M. Wednesday Night Live (TUPOS)

G.A.’s, R.A.’s, Mission Friends - Kids Bldg.

Women’s Bible Study

Prayer Meeting/ Bible Study - Ed. Bldg.

Counting Committee - February 2018 Hugh Bradley, Laura Barker, Pauline Hendrickson USHERS of the WEEK DEACON of the WEEK

February 25– March 3

Kord Robertson 781-5383

March 4-March 10

Johnny Trammell 781-0444

Giving Record

Tithes & Offering…....$9047.61

Designated……..……...........$00

Budget Needs/Week..$7,056.00

Meal Delivery:

Sue Mannery

Meal Delivery:

Helga Shackelford

7pm Deacon’s

Meeting

Meal Delivery:

Linda Smith

Happy Birthday!

February 27

Wyatt Smith

If you’re visiting us for the

first time, we invite you to

fill out a visitor packet in

the pew in front of you

and drop it in the offering

plate.

We’re so glad you’re here!

6pm Stewardship

Meeting

House & Grounds

Meeting 7PM

Business Meeting 7p

MARCH

APRIL

March 4th

Guest Speaker

Ken Wilson Church Planting

Prayer Service

Guest Speaker:

Ken Wilson

11AM

Meal Delivery:

MaryAnn

Wilson

SPRING BREAK

No Services

OUR GOAL: $2,500

April 8th– Guest Speaker Mel Heal Global Outreach Mission

April 22nd—25th—Revival

Winston Smith Kole Robertson Matt Chapman Binky Graham